Graduation (Kingmakers, #5)

by Sophie Lark

“You think I’m afraid?” “Yes.” His eyes burn like blue gas flame, he won’t smile even a little. “You’re afraid to come to Russia. You’re afraid to be alone with me. You want the protection of your family or your school, even when you hate how they chain you.” “I know nothing about Russia and we’ve only been dating a week! I’d be a lunatic to come live in your house with your Wolfpack. A bunch of guys all together and then me—how the fuck does that work?” “It works how I say it will.” “Because you’re the boss.” “That’s right.” “I don’t want to be your soldier. I want freedom, not a new master.” “You’ll be my partner.” I make an impatient hissing sound. Everyone knows when there’s a king and a queen, the final word comes from the king. “Let me show you,” Adrik says, enclosing my hand in his much larger one. “Come to Moscow. See what it’s like.” I try to pull my hand back, but he won’t let me. Without even trying, he holds me trapped. “I can’t just roll up to Kingmakers a week late. If I miss the ship, I miss the year.” He won’t stop looking at me, he won’t give me an inch of space. “Come with me. You won’t regret it.” But I might. How can I know? “Come with me.” He overpowers me like a wave. He wants to swallow me up in him, to make us one and the same. Fighting his pull is miserable. I’m in physical pain. I want to cry with frustration, with confusion, but I won’t let myself, never, never, never.